Handling CBM

CBM, or Cubic Meters, is the freight volume of the shipment for domestic and international freight. CBM measurement is calculated by multiplying the width, height and length together of the shipment. For example, if the length, height and width of a cargo is 2.3 meters, 1.4meters and 2 meters respectively, the volume of cargo is 2.3 X 1.4 X 2.00 = 6.44 CBM.

However, usually the data for any shipment of goods is given in cm. Usually CBM is based on carton dimensions in CM and quantity of cartons. Therefore, CM need to be converted to cubic meters by dividing by ‘1,000,000’. So the formula becomes: Length (cm) x Width (cm) x Height (cm) x Quantity of cartons / 1,000,000.

Every RFQ must have CBM excel file saved in the server. CBM excel file has a template with pre-filled formula to calculate CBM of any RFQ. To fill out CBM excel file, Purchasing Person needs to receive the following information from the Vendor:

• Dimensions of the carton (shipper) in cm;
• Quantity of boxes or pieces per carton (shipper).

CBM excel template is saved in each RFQ and ORDER folder.

To prepare CBM excel for an RFQ or an ORDER, open the file and fill out the following columns:

• Products Name
• Packaging
• Pc or boxes/ctn (quantity of pieces or boxes in one carton/shipper)
• Carton Size (dimensions of one carton/shipper in centimeters)
• Quantity (quantity of the order)

The unit of measure of ‘Pc or boxes/ctn’ and ‘Quantity’ columns MUST be the same (meaning if ‘Pc or boxes/ctn’ column has quantity in pieces, then ‘Quantity’ column must be filled out with quantity in pieces, and vice versa), otherwise the calculation wont be correct.

If everything filled out correctly, columns ‘Total carton’ and ‘Total CBM’ will be auto calculated.

Filled out CBM excel file has to be saved in each RFQ and ORDER folders, and to be updated as soon as there is any change in data.

CBM information is also stored in the ERP, however updating CBM in the ERP is part of the Order Confirmed process.